Penedès This Weekend: Christmas Market in Canyelles, Cava and Wine in Sant Pau d’Ordal and more

Let me speculate: The average visitor from the Barcelona metropolitan area will go to the Santa Llúcia Christmas market in Canyelles (Garraf). The average international wine tourist will go to the Gastronomy, Cava Wine Fair in Sant Pau d’Ordal (Subirats, Alt Penedès). The typical tourist with a special interest has already arrived at the European TV Film Festival, Zoom Igualada (Anoia) and for us locals, the most unique event this time is the Fira de Sant Andreu in La Llacuna (Anoia). Do you agree?

Recommendations on what to do in the wine region Penedès during the weekend November 30 – December 2, can be found in the video above or, alternatively, in my full agendas in English for Garraf, Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès and Anoia, respectively.

Welcome to Penedès!

Voteu CiU per enviar un fort missatge d'unitat a Catalunya

Find here the version in English

A tots els meus veïns i veïnes que encara dubten a qui votar el proper diumenge, dia 25 de novembre, m'agradaria recordar-los sobre el valor dels símbols.

Com que mantinc la meva ciutadania sueca, no puc votar aquesta vegada, però ideològicament em sento proper a CiU (a CDC, per ser més precís). Comparteixo el seu compromís amb l’emprenedoria i alhora crec que aquesta formació política interpreta i presenta Catalunya d'una manera coherent amb la societat que m'envolta.

Molts de vosaltres no compartiu aquests sentiments, però encara així us demanaría que aquesta vegada almenys consideréssiu votar a Artur Mas. Per a tots i totes que creiem que Catalunya és una nació i defensem el dret d’aquest poble a decidir el seu futur, no puc imaginar un senyal més fort d’unitat catalana que si un partit polític obtingués més de la meitat dels escons al parlament. I us puc prometre que axiò, si passés, tindria un efecte immens sobre i a través dels mitjans de comunicació internacionals.

Una majoria absoluta de CiU permetria a la vegada que el nou govern de no hagués de pactar cada possible assumpte amb altres partits, sinó pogués centrar-se en els objectius principals. Des del meu punt de vista, això l'ajudaria a estabilitzar el nostre viatge per als propers anys - previsiblement turbulent -, i en tot cas enfortiria la posició de Catalunya en les negociacions amb Madrid i amb la UE.

Però que passaria si CiU abusés de la vostra confiança i prengués una altra ruta de la que està prometent ara? O si al final resultaria que Artur Mas hagués estat involucrat en algún cas de corrupció? Bé, personalment no crec que això passarà, però entenc les vostres preocupacions i us demanaria no subestimar la força de la democràcia que teniu. Recordeu els missatges que els catalans i catalanes – sortint als carrers -, han aconseguit comunicar al món sencer recentment: En primer lloc el dia 11 de setembre, amb una forta crida per a "Catalunya - un nou estat d’Europa" i després, el dia 14 de novembre, amb protestes contra els efectes de les mesures d'austeritat en l'estat de benestar públic combinats amb un nivell inacceptable d'atur. Un poble amb aquesta capacitat de mobilitzar-se pot obligar a qualsevol govern a dimitir.

Aquestes eleccions canviaran la manera com el món veu Catalunya. Per què no optar pel màxim impacte?

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Quant als rumors de corrupció que han contaminat els últims dies del debat electoral a Catalunya, estic totalment d'acord amb en Toni Soler. No hem d’escoltar unes acusacions fetes per un diari molt conservador y centrista, sinó confiar en Artur Mas i alhora esperar que CiU sàpiga valorar el patrimoni que això significa.

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Una altra raó que tinc per confiar en la salut de la democràcia catalana és la vitalitat del sistema de partits. Aquest diumenge - per tercera vegada consecutiva - un partit polític entrarà al Parlament de Catalunya - obviament estic parlant de les CUP.

Com a liberal no estic en absolut d'acord amb el missatge anticapitalista de CUP, però porto molts anys seguint la seva gent al nivell municipal de Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf) i precisament això m'ha donat un gran respecte per aquest moviment. A Suècia no tenim cap força política que treballa així des del nivell de base, activament fomentant la participació dels joves en la política, ensenyant-los els processos i els valors de la presa de decisions democràtica.

Mai abans en la meva vida m’he trobat amb una organització tan poc jeràrquica, on es fácil connectar amb els seus representants i no només durant les campanyes electorals. Tots i totes tenim molt a guanyar si aquest partit - "unit, al·legre i compatiu" - pot tenir un rol similar per al control i la transparència de la política catalana com el que ja està exercint a la nostra ciutat. Així que, tot i que jo mai votaria CUP, he de confessar que admiro la seva creativa campanya electoral. Fes un cop d'ull a aquest vídeo en alemany que els militants han creat destinada per a l’Angela Merkel.

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La gran pregunta de les eleccions el dia 25 de novembre no és la possible independència de Catalunya, sinó si els catalans i les catalanes ténen el dret a decidir el seu propi futur o si un referéndum només es pot realitzar juntament amb els altres pobles de l’Estat Espanyol. Personalment dono un ferm soport al dret a decidir i espero que una futur consulta per fi pugui aclarir les posicions de la nostra societat en aquest conflicte que – tot i que de baixa intensitat - sempre he sentit al meu entorn durant tots els vuit anys que ja porto vivint a Catalunya.

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Per adelantat s'agraeix tot tipus d'ajuda per millorar el nivell lingüístic d'aquest post.

Penedès this weekend: Festa Major in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia

Compared to earlier weeks, the weekend November 23-25 is relatively calm here in the wine region Penedès (Catalonia), well, at least with the exception of the Sant Sadurní d'Anoia (Alt Penedès) - the Capital of our sparkling wine Cava - where they celebrate their main annual town festival - Festa Major de Sant Sadurní.

Find more recommendations in the video here above or, alternatively, in my full agendas in English for Garraf, Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès and Anoia.

Discover Penedès!

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The new format? Well, in the middle of the still Festongoing campaign for the November 25 elections in Catalonia , US based blogger Liz Castro decided to go from written articles to videos and I find her results so inspiring that I want to give it a try. What do you think?

Vote CiU to Send Strong Message about Unity in Catalonia

Aquí trobeu la versió en català

To all my Catalan neighbours who are still doubt for whom to vote coming Sunday, November 25, I would want to remind you about the value of symbols.

Since I am a Swedish citizen, I am not allowed to vote this time, but I feel ideologically close to CiU (CDC, to be more precise). I share their commitment to free enterprise and at the same time I think they interpret and present Catalonia in a way which matches with the society that surrounds me.

Many of you will not share these feelings, but I still ask you to consider voting for Artur Mas this time. For all of us who think that Catalonia is a nation and defend the Catalans’ right to decide their own future, I cannot imagine a stronger signal of Catalan unity than one party taking more than half of the seats in the parliament. And I can promise you that, if this happens, it will have an immense effect on and through international media.

An absolute majority for CiU will at the same time allow the new government not to have to discuss ever single issue with other political forces but focus on the big picture. In my eyes, this will help to stabilize our foreseeably turbulent journey during the coming years and, under all circumstances, strengthen Catalonia’s position in negotiations with Madrid and the EU.

But what if CiU abuses your confidence and takes another route than what they are promising today? What if it turns out that Artur Mas has indeed been involved in corruption? Well, personally I do not think that this will happen, but I understand your concerns and would ask you not to underestimate the force of democracy here. Remember the messages which Catalans have recently managed to communicate to the world by taking to the streets: First, on September 11, a strong demand for “Catalonia – a new state in Europe” and then, on November 14, protests against the effects of austerity measures in the public welfare state and unacceptable unemployment levels. A people with this capacity to mobilize can force any government to step down.

These elections will change the way the world sees Catalonia. Why not opt for maximum impact?

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Regarding the rumours about corruption which has tainted the debate in Catalonia during the last few days, I fully agree with Toni Soler. Let us not listen to allegations made by a highly conservative, pro-centralization newspaper, but have confidence in Artur Mas and hope that CiU fully appreciates the value of our trust.

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Another reason I see for feeling confident about the health of Catalan democracy is the vitality of the party system. On Sunday - for the third time in a row - a new political party will enter the parliament of Catalonia – I am of course talking about CUP.

As a liberal I do not at all agree with CUP's anti-capitalist message, but for several years I have followed them on the municipal level here in Vilanova i la Geltrú (Barcelona) and that has given me a big respect for this movement. In Sweden, we do not have any political force working like this from the grass root level, by actively involving young people in politics and teaching them the processes and values of democratic decision making.

Never before in my life have I met a party with such a flat organization, where you easily can connect with its representatives, not only during election campaigns. If these people - “united, happy and prepared to fight” for what they believe in - can play a similar role for the scrutiny and transparency of Catalan politics as they do here in our town, then we all have a lot to win. So, although I would never vote for them, I confess that I admire their creative election campaign. Check out this video in German which they have made for Angela Merkel.

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The November 25 elections are not about a possible independence of Catalonia, but about whether Catalans should have the right to decide their own future or can only be allowed to do so together with the rest of Spain. I am firmly for Catalans’ right to decide and hope that a future referendum can finally clear the air in this low-intense conflict which I have always felt around me during the now eight years I have been living in Catalonia.

Santa Cecilia – Patron Saint of Musicians – Arrives in Penedès with Concerts

November 18 the Catholic world celebrates Santa Cecilia and since she is the patron saint of musicians that will set the tone – xist! ;) – for the whole weekend, November 16-18. Find here full events calendars in English: Garraf, Alt Penedès, Baix Penedès and Anoia.

The most vivid Santa Cecilia traditions can be found in Igualada (Anoia) and are centered around a so called missa cantata – a full religious mass sung by the choirs of the town. There will also be concerts in El Vendrell (Baix Penedès), Sitges (Garraf), Vilafranca del Penedès (Alt Penedès) but the town which I think deserve a special mention is Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf), where the local chamber orchestra Camerata Eduard Toldrà presents its first concerts under its new name.

Cava and wine tourists can look forward to a winery tour with a tasting in Sant Pere de Ribes (Garraf), but might also be interested in sampling freshly pressed olive oil at the festival in Piera (Anoia).

Visitors who focus on shopping – and above all outlet bargains – should go to Igualada and take a stroll among the pop-up stores of Rec.06.

Those interested in Catalan culture will be sad to hear that from now, and up to about the April Sant Jordi celebrations next year, we will not see many human towers (castells) neither in Penedès, nor in the rest of Catalonia. However, in Vilafranca del Penedès as well as in Vilanova i la Geltrú you will be able to see the national dance, la Sardana.

If you want to experience the feelings which sports can provoke among the fans, then there is a roller hockey Penedès derby in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (Alt Penedès).

And, finally, if you need to find activities for your children, you can chose between an interesting historical workshop in El Vendrell, a magic performance in La Gornal (Castellet i la Gornal, Alt Penedès) or story telling in English in Cunit (Baix Penedès).

Our beaches are almost empty, the wine harvest season is just about to end, but as you see: Penedès has a lot to offer!

European Day of Cava & Wine Tourism + Surprigingly Many Other Events in Penedès!

November 11 is the European Day of Wine Tourism and that makes Penedès offer even more events for the weekend November 9-11 than we usually see during the most intensive weeks of the summer. Focused around Alt Penedès there will open house visits at numerous wineries and cava producers, the International Cava and Wine Film Festival Most in Vilafranca del Penedès, guided tours related to grapes, vineyards and wine in Vilafranca, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Gelida plus a wine harvest festival in La Ràpita (Santa Margarida i els Monjos).

However, at the same time Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf) celebrates its biggest autumn event: Fira de Novembre – an annual trade fair which comes with a Saturday Shoppping Night plus, as always, several cultural activities. This year the program is especially rich for tourists interested in Catalan culture: on top of a xató salad festival (xatonada popular – the best xató comes from Vilanova!) and sardana dancing, the town will host the last major human tower (castells) exhibition of the season 2012. The local team Bordegassos de Vilanova celebrate their 40th anniversary and have invited all teams older than themselves to take part. This means that the Catalan top teams Castellers de Vilafranca and Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls will both be present, but also Nens del Vendrell and Minyons de l’Arboç.

Human towers can also be seen in Sant Martí de Tous, which as far as I can see will be the last exhibition in Anoia this year. Those who prefer more modern cultural expressions will have a contemporary dance performance in Igualada (Anoia) and a jazz concert in Vilafranca del Penedès.

Tourist interested in sports, finally, might want to check out the organized bicycle tour Barcelona-Sitges (Garraf), the mountain duathlon in El Vendrell (Baix Penedès) or a taekwondo competition in Sitges.

Full Penedès event calendars in English can be found here. As you will see, Penedès is cava and wine but also a lot more!

Penedès is wine, cava, human towers, rink hockey and the liqueur ratafia

Photo: Fogons - Cuina i Fotografia

Only a few days ago it seemed as if the weekend would again come with rain – something we are not used to here in Penedès. Now the forecast for November 2-4 looks more promising, but be prepared for cloudy skies and bring an umbrella, just in case. Below are a few tips about things to do, while my full event calendars in English can be found here.

Cava and wine tourists will be happy to learn that there is a grape harvest festival in La Ràpita (Santa Margarida i Els Monjos, Alt Penedès) and a cava market in Les Roquetes (Sant Pere de Ribes, Garraf). For those of you who prefer stronger drinks, Igualada (Anoia) holds a fair where they present and sell a typical Mediterranean liqueur called ratafia.

If you want to experience Catalan culture, some of the last human tower exhibition (castells) this year can be found in Igualada and in El Vendrell (Baix Penedès). In El Vendrell there will also be a parade with folk dances and devils dancing under fire, related to an event called Correllengua – an initiative which moves from one town to another and aims at strengthening the position of the Catalan language. In Cunit (Baix Penedès) you will be able to see children performing the Catalan national dance, Sardana.

If you want to watch a sport with a local flavour, I would recommend rink hockey, since teams from Penedès and the rest of Catalonia totally dominate the Spanish premier leage (OK liga). In Vilanova i la Geltrú (Garraf) there is an international U15 rink hockey tournament with teams from seven countries and in Igualada there is a derby between local Igualada H.C. and C.P. Calafell Tot l’Any. If this sounds too calm for you, there is also a muay thai (Thai kick boxing) competition in Calafell (Baix Penedès).

If on the other hand, you are a calm person who prefers to learn more about our Penedès history, architecture and landscapes, there are several guided tours, for example in Vilafranca del Penedès, Sant Sadurní d’Anoia and Olèrdola (all three in Alt Penedès) as well as in Sitges.

Welcome to Penedès!